KOTTAYAM, India (April 4, 2016)—MM Publications Ltd. has partnered with National Geographic to launch the local-language edition of National Geographic Kids magazine in India. The newest edition of National Geographic Kids magazine debuts with the April 2016 issue. The magazine will be available monthly on newsstands and by subscription.

Aimed at children ages 6 to 12, National Geographic Kids magazine is a photo-driven publication that inspires young adventurers to explore the world around them. Each month, the magazine features colorful stories about animals, people and places, interspersed with fun puzzles, facts and figures. It also includes the popular departments “Weird But True,” “Wild Vacation” and “Amazing Animals,” and highlights its readers by displaying user-submitted photos.

National Geographic Kids India will publish content from the English-language edition and will have a similar look, but will also introduce content specifically geared to local readers.

“We’re excited to work with MM Publications to introduce the National Geographic brand to kids in India for the first time,” said Yulia Boyle, senior vice president, international media for National Geographic. “Our goal with National Geographic Kids magazine is to inspire kids to learn more about the world around them through visually rich, educational and highly entertaining content, full of immersive games and incredible stories. In doing so, we hope to create the next generation of explorers who believe in the power of science, exploration and storytelling to change the world.”

“It is indeed a privilege for MM Publications to partner with National Geographic to bring one of the most loved children’s magazines to India,” said Harsha Mathew, assistant editor and director for MM Publications’ parent company, the Malayala Manorama group. “As a publishing house, MM Publications’ priority is to enrich the lives of children and to make learning fun. We distribute many publications that are designed to impart knowledge through fun-filled activities. I am sure National Geographic Kids will further enhance the value of our portfolio and help in our efforts to make the world of children more colorful and their futures brighter.”

The price for the magazine on newsstands is Rs 50. A 12-month subscription costs Rs 500 and a 24-month subscription is Rs 900.

National Geographic Kids launched in the United States in 1975 as National Geographic World magazine. The Indian edition of National Geographic is the 18th local-language edition of the magazine, preceded by the Portuguese in December 2015. Other local-language editions are available in Australia/New Zealand, Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Slovenia, South Africa (Afrikaans and English), Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. National Geographic Kids has a worldwide circulation of approximately 1.6 million.

About National Geographic Partners LLC

National Geographic Partners LLC, a joint venture between National Geographic Society and 21st Century Fox, combines National Geographic television channels with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic Studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, catalog, licensing and e-commerce businesses. A portion of the proceeds from National Geographic Partners LLC will be used to fund science, exploration, conservation and education through significant ongoing contributions to the work of the National Geographic Society. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com and find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About MM Publications Ltd.

MM Publications is a leading magazine publishing group that brings out a number of successful publications in English, Malayalam and Hindi, each of them leading in their respective categories. The group is a part of the larger family of the Malayala Manorama group, the leading newspaper and magazine publishers in India, which bring out the famed Malayala Manorama daily, The Week – noted news magazine, the Manorama Year Books (in various languages) etc. MM Publications launched the much-loved children’s magazine in Malayalam, Balarama in the year 1972. An effective mix of entertainment and information, it later became the largest selling children’s magazine in India, across all the languages. Soon the group identified different slots for children’s publications, addressing different needs as well as different age groups. Thus the preschool activity magazines like Kalikkudukka (in Malayalam), Magic Pot (English) and Akkad Bakkad (Hindi) were launched, virtually inventing a new slot in the Indian market. These publications are affectionately received by children, with parents and teachers accepting them as an effective tool for child development. The informative magazines published by the group, like Manorama Tell Me Why (in English) and Balarama Digest (Malayalam) are also very popular and appreciated by children, parents and educators. The children’s division of MM Publications now brings out ten publications for children.